Michaela Frey Team
Tropic Rosa Parrot Bangle
circa 1976
Today known as Freywille, this esteemed Austrian jewellery house was originally recognised as ‘Michaela Frey’ or ‘Michaela Frey Team’ between the years 1951 and 1980, headed solely by its founder, Michaela Frey, until her passing away. Her iconic gold, frosted black and enamel bangles, such as this mint piece featuring chirruping blue and yellow parrots, are much sought after today as collectibles of Frey’s unique handling of sophisticated colouring and imagery as well as of the high level of craftsmanship individually exhibited through the structure of her whimsical and often historically-influenced compositions. At one point additionally designing enamelled bangles for Hermès (hence the similarities and resulting confusion), Frey continually expanded her own line of initial and irreplaceable ‘Freywille’ pieces which remain, then and now, as miniature testimonies of inherent class that, if unexpectedly stumbled across in a flee market or boutique, give way to instant happiness to the trained eye.
